The Piper family is an English artistic family of several generations.[1][2]
Overview
The Piper family dynasty of artists started in the 20th century with John Piper[3] and his wife, the art critic Myfanwy Piper. Their sons Edward and Sebastian Piper were also artists. The sons of Edward and Pru Piper, Luke and Henry Piper, are a painter and sculptor respectively. To quote the art historian Frances Spalding: "In the course of their long partnership, John and Myfanwy Piper created what seems to many observers an ideal way of life, involving children, friends, ... and creativity."[1]
John and Myfanwy Piper lived with their family in the south Buckinghamshire village of Fawley Bottom most of their lives. They moved into a derelict farmhouse and outbuildings there in 1938, which they then restored into a family house and studio.[4] Both stayed there till they died, bringing up their family there. The potter Geoffrey Eastop was a family friend and collaborator, as described in his memoir, producing pottery at the family home in Fawley Bottom.[5] He also stayed in the family's holiday cottages at Garn Fawr on Strumble Head in Wales, often with the Piper children. The poet John Betjeman was also a family friend.[6] In the mid 20th century, John and Myfanwy Piper were at the centre of English cultural life. She transported her family around using a pony and trap.
In 2007, the extended Piper family exhibited jointly at the Messum's gallery in Cork Street, London.[7]
Charles Piper
Charles Alfred Piper (1866–1927) was the father of John Piper and a solicitor.[8] His father, Charles Christmas Piper, had taken over the family bootmaking business, and was also a partner in a printing and stationery company.[9][10]
John Egerton Christmas Piper[11] (1903–1992) was a leading British artist of the 20th century.[1] Piper used to make artistic expeditions to various parts of the United Kingdom with individual family members and family friends, including his wife Myfanwy, his son and fellow artist Edward Piper, poets John Betjeman and Geoffrey Grigson, and later on the family doctor and friend Alan Hartley.[12]
Clarissa Piper (born 1942) was the second child of John and Myfanwy Piper.[14]
Suzannah Piper
Suzannah Piper (born 1947, Henley-on-Thames) was the third child of John and Myfanwy Piper.[15]
Sebastian Piper
Sebastian ("Seb") Piper (born 14 August 1950) is the son of John and Myfanwy Piper and the younger brother of Edward Piper.[16] He is a painter, musician, and photographer.[17]
Sebastian Piper's paintings are abstract in style and he holds periodic exhibitions to sell his pictures, especially in Fawley Bottom near Henley-on-Thames. His music is based on synthesisers and he has produced a number of CDs including The Barn. He has collaborated with Gail Rosier[18] of the Acorn Music-Theatre. He has collaborated with the River and Rowing Museum in Henley.[19]
^ abcdefMessum's Fine Art (London) (2007). The Piper Dynasty: John Piper, Edward Piper, Prue Piper, Luke Piper, Henry Piper. London: Messum's Fine Art. ISBN978-1905883127.
^"John Piper: Master of Diversity". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link), River and Rowing Museum, UK, 2000.